#TeenWritersProject

Please help us secure a $2,500 matching gift this North Texas Giving Day to meet our fundraising goal of $5,000, which will help us improve the writing skills of more teen writers and get them published!

Since 2018, #TeenWritersProject has provided a space where teens can write, be published, and get paid, as a means to promote creativity, agency, and equity in publishing and education. We support our mission by offering programs that empower teens to develop their writing skills and explore their creative potential, exposing them to both the craft and career of writing.

Support for Teen Writers 

Our programs not only help teens academically but also provide them with the creative and professional skills necessary for success in any field. To date, we have published more than 550 teens, served 90% low-income students, hosted 50 writing workshops, and provided 20 teens with paid opportunities. Your support on North Texas Giving Day, and throughout the year, will double our impact and help us continue preparing, supporting, and publishing the next generation of storytellers.

Out of School

Teens Write Now Membership Program ($5,000): Our three-level membership program gives all teens access to writing resources, monthly critique sessions, and a supportive community of peers and mentors who help them refine their craft and build confidence.

Creative Workshops ($6,000): By request, we host workshops covering a wide range of topics, from storytelling techniques and publishing basics, to our more literary-specific topics such as our Permanent INK (Immersive Narratives by Kendrick) and Baldwin's W.I.S.D.O.M. (Writing, Insight, Social Dialogue, and Outspoken Messaging) workshops. These workshops are designed to inspire and equip teens with the tools they need to express themselves creatively and pursue writing as a career.

Teen Writers-in-Residence Summer Program ($10,000): This immersive summer program allows teens to dive deep into the world of writing. Participants work closely with industry professionals, developing a piece of writing from concept to completion, with the goal of being published by the end of the program.

High School-to-Hire Program ($7,000): Our High School-to-Hire initiative provides 15 teens, annually, with real-world job experiences in writing, editing, and media, preparing them for careers in the creative industries. This program is a bridge from academic learning to professional application, and offers teens paid opportunities that align with their passions.

We offer programs that not only fuel creativity in teens, but also improve their reading, writing, social, creative, and cultural literacy—key skills often overlooked in high school that are necessary for their fast-approaching career goals.

In School Programming

While K-8th grade students have resources to nurture their imaginations, high school often shifts to a relentless focus on test prep which causes teens to either get bored or fall behind because of their lack of confidence in their ability to write well. Our programs break that cycle by offering teens opportunities to thrive creatively and academically with resources such as our L.I.T. Writers-in-Schools Program ($5,000).

The experiences we provide for teens in and our of school are an invitation for them to take a closer look at themselves and investigate their goals and their world from a place of compassion and spirit without consequence or judgment. We also support teachers by providing resources and professional development training that senhance classroom learning.